Tuition fee policy

17 July 2026

This Tuition Fee Policy (hereinafter – the Policy) has been developed in order to establish a unified procedure for the calculation, payment, adjustment, and collection of tuition fees at Cardiff University Kazakhstan (hereinafter – the University). The Policy defines the fee status of students, the procedure for granting discounts, and regulates the rights and obligations of the University, students, and sponsors with respect to the fulfillment of financial obligations.

Cardiff University Kazakhstan is committed to a fair and transparent policy in respect of the fees and charges it expects students to pay. The Tuition Fee Policy forms part of the University’s Terms and Conditions and provides a framework for the payment and collection tuition fees.

The payment of fees is the responsibility of the student. If a student is in receipt of sponsorship e.g. Government scholarship, payment will be collected directly from the sponsor. In the event of a student’s sponsor failing to make payment, the student will be held personally liable for payment.

Tuition fees include all compulsory elements needed for students to meet the learning outcomes of the degree programme. For some degree programmes, optional additional costs may be incurred e.g., field trips, materials.

1. Fee Status

A student’s status for fees will be determined by the University based on information provided during the application process. There are two fee statuses:

Citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan;
International students (students who are not Citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan)

2. Annual revision of fees

The fees published on the University website will detail the year of entry for which they are applicable. The University will increase tuition fees in the second and subsequent years of a degree programme based on the rate of inflation in Kazakhstan and the exchange rate between the Tenge and the US$.

3. Payment of Tuition Fees by Students

Tuition fees will be payable:

in Tenge by Citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan (rate for conversion of fee from US$ will be fixed each year);
in US$ by international students.

The preferred method of tuition fee payment is bank transfer. Cash payments are not accepted by the University.

Students can pay their fees as follows:

Payment in full prior to or at registration. Students who pay their fees in full in advance will receive a discount as outlined in Appendix 1.
Payment by direct debit, in three instalments, on the due dates notified to the student at registration.
1st instalment: 34% (with 14 days of registration)
2nd instalment: 33% (by 30 November)
3rd instalment: 33% (by 28 February)

4. Sponsored Students

Students must provide confirmation of sponsorship at registration.

Sponsor will be required to pay tuition fees no later than 30 days from the date of invoice or as otherwise agreed with the sponsor. If a sponsor does not pay fees when they are due, the student becomes personally responsible for paying the full fee.

5. Late or non-payment of tuition fees

If fees are not paid by the due date, students must notify the University of the reason for non-payment. The University may adjust the payment schedule where appropriate.

A student’s registration with the University can be terminated for non-payment of tuition fees. Students will be notified in advance if the University intends to terminate a student’s registration.

If a student owes tuition fees at the end of each academic year they may not be permitted to register for the subsequent academic year.

If a student owes tuition fees at the end of the degree programme they will not receive their degree certificate and transcript until all due payments are received.

6. Interruption of Study/Leaving the University

If a student withdraws from degree programme within the first two weeks of the start of teaching they will not be liable for any tuition fee.

If a student interrupts their studies or ends their registration with the University, the fees payable for the academic year will be pro-rata based on the number of weeks of study completed.

If a student returns from an interruption of study part-way through an academic year, the fees will be pro-rata the number of weeks of study remaining for that academic year.

7. Scholarships

The University provides various types of tuition discounts to students under this policy. Any scholarship that is awarded applies for the duration of the programme.

Discounts are provided in accordance with the procedure established by the founding and internal regulatory documents of the University.

The financial terms of this Policy — the level and revision of tuition fees, the amounts and range of discounts and scholarships, budgetary limits, and additional financial incentives — are reviewed by the Management Board and submitted by it for approval to the General Meeting of Participants of the University in accordance with the Charter. Operational matters relating to the implementation of this Policy (determining eligibility criteria and supporting documentation, monitoring, and the consideration of individual appeals) fall within the competence of the Management Board.

Students will be notified of any scholarship awarded to them in writing and as part of their offer to join the University.

Accommodation and other costs of study are not part of the scholarship which relates only to tuition fees. Students are required to meet the additional costs of study themselves.

Discounts for all students are outlined by the Appendix 1, which may be varied on the recommendation of the Management Board and subject to approval by the General Meeting of Participants.

Scholarships are reviewed at least annually and published on the Cardiff University of Kazakhstan website.

Scholarships and discounts may be awarded for:

academic excellence;
widening participation considerations;
other strategic priorities determined by the University.

The University may award merit-based scholarships, including Provost scholarships, to applicants demonstrating outstanding achievements in:

republican and international Olympiads;
scientific and research activities;
sporting achievements;
leadership, creative, or other exceptional accomplishments.

The eligibility criteria, number of awards, and supporting documentation requirements shall be determined annually by the Management Board; the amounts and duration of scholarships and related financial parameters shall be approved by the General Meeting of Participants on the recommendation of the Management Board.

Unless otherwise stated in the scholarship award letter, continuation of a Merit-Based Scholarship or Provost Scholarship in subsequent academic years shall be subject to the student:

successfully progressing to the next stage of study;
maintaining a minimum cumulative average grade as determined by the University;
remaining in good academic and disciplinary standing;
complying with the University’s tuition fee payment requirements.

The University reserves the right to suspend, reduce, or withdraw a scholarship where these conditions are not met.

7A. Acceptance Discount

The discount shall be introduced starting from the 2026/27 academic year.

7A.1 Scope

The discount is available to:

all self-funded undergraduate applicants (Foundation and Year 1 entry);
applicants holding conditional or unconditional offers from Cardiff University Kazakhstan;
applicants who were initially considered for a state grant but subsequently choose the self-funded route.

Applicants who are unsuccessful in securing a state scholarship/grant may also be eligible for a 10% prompt payment discount, provided that they confirm acceptance of the self-funded offer and complete the required tuition fee payment within 14 calendar days following notification of the scholarship outcome. The specific terms, eligibility criteria, and payment deadlines for this discount may be determined and communicated by Cardiff University Kazakhstan on an annual basis.

7A.2 Eligibility

To qualify, an applicant must:

submit their application by 31 July 2026;
hold a formal offer from Cardiff University Kazakhstan;
accept their offer within 14 calendar days of receiving it;

sign the Student Agreement; and

make the first tuition fee payment in accordance with the Student Agreement.

7A.3 Discount Structure

Discount value: 10% of the annual tuition fee. Applicable period: the standard duration of the programme, subject to the student remaining enrolled and meeting the University’s progression and financial requirements.

7A.4 Continuation of the Discount

Where the Early Payment Discount is awarded for the standard duration of the programme, continuation of the discount in subsequent academic years shall be subject to the student:

successfully progressing to the next stage of study;
maintaining a minimum cumulative grade as determined by the University;
remaining in good academic and disciplinary standing;
complying with the University’s tuition fee payment deadlines and any approved instalment arrangements.

The University reserves the right to suspend, reduce, or withdraw the discount where the student:

fails to meet the required academic progression standards;
falls below the minimum grade requirement;
is subject to disciplinary action or academic misconduct proceedings;
fails to comply with agreed tuition fee payment arrangements.

Any decision to withdraw the discount shall be communicated to the student in writing.

7A.5 Financial Provisions

The discount covers tuition fees only. Accommodation, administrative fees, and additional services are not included.

The Finance Department must:

verify receipt of payment before applying the discount;
maintain a centralised register of all applicants who have received the discount;
ensure compliance with internal budgeting limits and reporting requirements.

There is no cap on the number of recipients. Every applicant who meets the Section 7A.2 criteria qualifies.

7A.6 Legal Provisions

The discount must be stated in the Offer Letter and/or Terms of Admission for each eligible applicant.

The University may amend or withdraw the discount at any time. All transactions must comply with the laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

7A.7 Refund Provisions

Three scenarios apply:

Non-fulfilment of enrolment conditions: if an applicant has paid and the discount has been applied, but the applicant subsequently fails to meet the conditions of their offer (e.g. does not obtain the required qualifications), the full amount paid is refunded and the discount is cancelled.
State grant awarded before enrolment: if an applicant receives a state grant covering tuition fees after making payment but before the start of the academic year, the full amount paid is refunded and the discount is cancelled. The applicant’s place may be retained subject to the grant covering the full tuition fee.
State grant awarded after the start of the academic year: if a student receives a state grant after enrolment has commenced, the Early Acceptance Discount is retained. The grant and any remaining balance are handled in accordance with standard University financial procedures.

All refunds follow the University’s standard refund procedure and applicable national legislation.

7A.8 Operational Procedure

Offer stage: Admissions informs eligible applicants of the discount in the Offer Letter.
Acceptance: Applicant formally accepts the offer.
Payment: Applicant accepts the offer within 14 calendar days of receiving it, signs the Student Agreement and makes the first tuition fee payment in accordance with the Student Agreement. Where an applicant elects to pay by instalments, the discount shall be applied to the tuition fee payable for each academic year, provided that all instalment payments are made in accordance with the agreed payment schedule.
Verification: Finance Department confirms receipt of payment and applies the discount.
Confirmation: Admissions updates the enrolment status.

7A.9 Monitoring and Review

Admissions and Finance jointly track take-up, conversion rates, and financial impact each cycle, and submit an evaluation report after each admissions round. Section 7A shall be reviewed annually by the University upon the recommendation of the Management Board and approved by the General Meeting of Participants.

7A.10 Disputes and Appeals

An applicant or student who disagrees with a decision to grant, refuse, or withdraw the Early Acceptance Discount may submit a written appeal within ten (10) working days from the date of receiving the relevant notification.

The appeal shall be submitted to the University together with supporting documents and evidence.
The Finance Department shall review the submitted documentation, prepare a reasoned recommendation, and refer the appeal together with all supporting materials to the University’s Management Board for consideration.
The Management Board shall consider the appeal and issue a reasoned decision within ten (10) working days of receiving the complete appeal materials.
The decision of the Management Board shall be communicated to the applicant or student in writing and shall be final for the purposes of the University’s internal procedures.

No applicant or student shall be subject to any adverse action solely for submitting a bona fide appeal.

Appendix 1

Discount Allocation System for Citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan Enrolled in Paid Programmes

№	Category of Students Recommended for Discounts^*	Discount Rate	Duration/Conditions
1	Students who have lost both parents or are left without the care of one parent	10% of tuition fee	Applies while the student remains enrolled at the University and continues to satisfy the eligibility criteria for the discount.
2	Students with disabilities (Group I, II, or III)	10% of tuition fee	Applies while the student remains enrolled at the University and continues to satisfy the eligibility criteria for the discount.
3	More than one child studying at the University	5% of tuition fee each	Applies while the student remains enrolled at the University and continues to satisfy the eligibility criteria for the discount.
4	Merit-Based Scholarships — applicants demonstrating outstanding achievements in republican or international Olympiads, scientific research, leadership, or sporting achievements.	15% of tuition fee	Applies for the standard duration of the programme, subject to successful academic progression and compliance with University regulations.
5	Provost Scholarships — the highest merit-based award, granted only to exceptional applicants whose achievements are outstanding and strategically significant for the University.	30% of tuition fee	Applies for the standard duration of the programme, subject to successful academic progression and compliance with University regulations.
6	Early Acceptance Discount — self-funded applicants who:submit their application by 31 July 2026; accept their offer within 14 calendar days of receiving it; sign the Student Agreement; and make the first tuition fee payment in accordance with the Student Agreement.. The discount applies for the standard duration of the programme and may be used in conjunction with the University’s approved instalment payment arrangements.	10% of tuition fee	Applies for the standard duration of the programme, subject to successful academic progression and compliance with University regulations.
7	Prompt Payment Discount — applicants unsuccessful in securing a state grant who confirm a self-funded offer and pay within 14 calendar days of grant notification. See Section 7A.2.	10% of tuition fee	Applies for the standard duration of the programme, subject to successful academic progression and compliance with University regulations.

Notes:

If the tuition is paid in full in advance (100% of the annual or total contract amount), an additional 5% discount is applied to the total amount.
Students must provide appropriate documentation confirming their eligibility for the discount category, as specified in internal University policies.

The University may revise these rates for future admissions cycles on the recommendation of the Management Board and subject to approval by the General Meeting of Participants.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:

Category 1: Students who have lost both parents or have been left without the care of one of the parents.

One of the following documents must be provided:

Death certificate(s) of the parent(s);
Court decision on deprivation of parental rights or recognition of the parents as:
legally incapable,
missing,
deceased;
Certificate from a competent authority (e.g., guardianship and custody authority) confirming the absence of parents.

Category 2: Students with disabilities (Group I, II, or III).

Disability certificate of the established form, issued by an authorized state body.
Indication of the validity period of the certificate or the date of the next re-examination (must be valid at the time of document submission).

Category 3: More than one child from the same family enrolled at the University.

Birth certificates of both (or several) children.

If surnames differ:

Parents’ marriage certificate.

Category 4: Merit-Based Scholarships and Provost Scholarships — applicants demonstrating outstanding achievements in republican or international Olympiads, scientific research, leadership, or sporting achievements.

Supporting documentation as determined annually by the University (e.g., Olympiad diplomas/certificates, evidence of scientific, sporting, or leadership achievements).

Category 5: Early Acceptance Discount.

The following must be provided:

Formal offer letter from Cardiff University Kazakhstan.
Written confirmation of acceptance of the offer.
Bank transfer confirmation evidencing the first tuition fee payment made in accordance with the Student Agreement.
Self-declaration confirming the applicant is not in receipt of a state grant or institutional scholarship covering tuition fees.

Category 6: Prompt Payment Discount.

The following must be provided:

Written notification from the relevant state authority confirming the applicant was unsuccessful in securing a state scholarship/grant.
Written confirmation of acceptance of the self-funded offer from Cardiff University Kazakhstan.
Bank transfer confirmation evidencing payment received within 14 calendar days of the grant notification date.
Self-declaration confirming the applicant is not in receipt of any other scholarship or discount covering tuition fees.